Reviewed by Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite

Rosie Claverton continues her Amy Lane Mystery series with Captcha Thief. The precious painting, The Blue Lady, is stolen from the National Museum of Wales and the night guard is murdered. Called upon the scene are Detective Bryn Hesketh and Amy Lane’s assistant, Jason Carr. Jason was called in for his street connections. However, much to the chagrin of the police department, Bryn has been using Amy’s skills as a hacker for quite a while. Amy loves the thrill of a murder investigation, even though she stays hidden, locked inside the safety of her secured home. Suffering from agoraphobia, Amy stays connected to the world by using her computer, AEON. However, Jason is proving to be a loyal assistant, confidant and friend. Could Jason be becoming more than a friend? The investigation spurs Amy on, as she ponders her growing feeling for Jason. The deeper she goes into the mystery, the more sinister the crime becomes. A haunting presence has been left within the museum. Truth lurks in the darkness. The crime turns into a diabolical case of hide and seek. The players are being played - Game on!

Captcha Thief by Rosie Claverton is an eerie tale full of puzzling intrigue. Making this American reader tilt her head and ponder, Claverton pens her mystery with clever British flair and wit. She captures the essence of the stolen painting, giving it life. Drawn into the canvas, the characters are held captive by the infamous portrait. As the narrative unfolds, the protagonist, Amy Lane, and her side kick, Jason Carr, evolve as characters. Each one making the other better, linked by loyalty and underlying romantic friction, the door to their illusive pasts is unlocked and thrown wide open. Yet, as a reader you wonder how long before the door is slammed shut again. Hidden and seemingly untouchable, the antagonist plays them as pieces in a sinister game. Along with her masterfully written cast of characters, Claverton weaves a compelling story and then, thread by thread, unravels the mystery. Written figuratively, the narrative is full of metaphorical gems and unforgettable one-liners. My favorite: “But wishes were horses, cantering off into the distance, out of her reach.” While solving the mystery, characters are exposed and scattered to and fro, and by the end one wonders if they will see each other again.